For five decades, one particular Downtown sign has beckoned conventioneers, visitors, bachelor parties and other oglers: “World Famous Big Al’s.”

The striptease parlor has been a mainstay of the Peoria nightlife scene since 1973. Ask outsiders what they know about Peoria, and chances are they’ll name two businesses: Caterpillar Inc. and Big Al’s.

The bright neon sign serves as a beacon for fans of exotic dancing, an exclamation point to Peoria’s offerings as a convention town.

In 1974, the city adopted strict local adult-entertainment regulations that preclude strip bars Downtown. However, by opening a year earlier, Big Al’s was grandfathered as an exception.

The club remains a vital tourism cog, enough to warrant city assistance when hotel developments forced Big Al’s from its longtime home at 519 Main St. Other sites — on Hamilton Boulevard and the parking lot next to the Madison Theater — were met by opposition. But after lengthy debate and delays, the city created an alternative spot by selling Big Al’s a parking lot at 400 SW Jefferson Ave.

Opened in late 2012, the new building’s 28,000 square feet dwarfs its 4,000-square-foot predecessor. The structure looks unassuming, almost utilitarian. But, as always, the neon sign outside easily and brightly identifies the business within.

It’s a fun place! If you don’t like it then don’t go, it’s that simple. And if you feel that it’s a “sleezy sexploitation saloon for Baptist and other evangelicals to slate their thirst for female objectification” , then please pray for those of us who have been to this establishment. And while you’re at it, pray for all of those, like you, who are also hypocrites.

Actually…it really became “world famous” when HBO’s cable show: Real Sex featured it in the early 90’s (I believe?) as the first place of it’s kind having male entertainment upstairs and females downstairs.